Advancing inclusive workspaces for a stronger Australia

New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has highlighted Australian employers have a long way to go in creating inclusive workspaces and reinforces the necessity for greater specialised support for jobseekers with disability to overcome barriers to employment. 

According to the report ‘Barriers and Incentives to Labour Force Participation, Australia,’ least 12,000 of those surveyed noted they believed “disability discourages employers” and felt it was a major difficulty in finding work. 

Australia is facing an unprecedented skills shortage, yet we have an untapped pool of one million people with disability who are looking for work. 

This situation presents a prime opportunity for businesses and employers to bridge the gap. 

For example, more than half of working age NDIS participants supported by SSI local area coordinators have economic participation goals in their plans. However, only 23 percent of participants nationally are employed." 

The Government’s recent responses to Disability Royal Commission Recommendations, including the announcement of $227.6 million to implement a new specialist disability employment program, is a welcome step towards inclusivity — but greater collaboration is needed between government, businesses, unions, and non-profits to create meaningful change.  

 More than 1 in 5 people live with disability. Chances are you work alongside an individual with disability at your workplace whether you know it or not.   

Removing these barriers is not a niche commitment — it is an obligation with mutual benefits for workers and employers. 

We need to shift the misguided and outdated bias that employing people with disability only benefits the individuals themselves.  

The growing number of skilled professionals with disability working at SSI have demonstrated to me repeatedly that creating a work environment that includes people with disability is not only an ethical responsibility, but a smart business move.  

They bring their qualifications and technical skills, but also add value to our workforce by contributing insights gained through lived experience, alternative approaches to tackling challenges, and different perspectives.  

I recognise creating an inclusive work environment is not a static decision. As an organisation and Disability Employment Service provider, it has been critical for SSI to reflect on our practices, identify areas for improvement and collaborate with others to discover innovative approaches to supporting people to reach their full professional potential. 

As a result, in February SSI hosted the Pathways to Possibilities Symposium in partnership with Jobs Australia, National Disability Services (NDS), and the Canterbury Bankstown Chamber of Commerce. We explored the current state of disability employment and identified ways to drive meaningful change for people with disability.  

The day’s discussions, led by  our emcee Tim Ferguson and facilitator Carly Findlay OAM, centred on the voices of those with lived experience, whose leadership and guidance are essential to our progress. 

SSI will be releasing a comprehensive report that translates the insights, data, and personal stories from the symposium into tangible actions that drive substantive change in the coming months. This will be launched alongside our new Communities of Practice Program. 

These projects will serve as a guiding roadmap, informing our future endeavours and igniting broader conversations that extend beyond the findings established at the symposium  

The message is clear — embracing inclusivity in the workplace is not just a moral imperative but a strategic advantage. The Pathways to Posibilities Symposium and the forthcoming report represent the next steps in turning these insights into meaningful change. Together, we can foster workplaces where everyone’s potential is recognised, ultimately benefiting both individuals and the broader economy.